November in Paris

What can I say about Paris that I haven’t already said? Are you sick of hearing me sing its praises? (I don’t blame you!) I will say that I expected Paris to be many things last week: cold, dark, rainy, still reeling from the terror attacks a few weeks ago, scared, on edge, different. It wasn’t any of those things. It drizzled exactly once, a quick shower not even worthy of digging out my umbrella. I found the same Paris I’d left in May: unseasonably warm and bright, welcoming, insouciant, defiant, alive. I noticed more tricolores hanging from balconies and hung in shop windows, more signs declaring “Fluctant Nec Mergitur,” and yes, more French soldiers with large guns, pacing in front of monuments, standing sentry in front of synagogues in le Marais, and more security guards requesting to check my bag entering shops and museums. But Paris itself? Paris was the same, if not quieter and calmer, for the off-season lack of tourist and crowds. It was beautiful, and I loved every second of it, as I always have and I always will.

I hung out with Süsk, ate my weight in baguettes and butter, went to three museums (the Louvre, Rodin, and Carnavalet), wrote my ass off and finished a chapter that had been giving me a headache for weeks, explored new neighborhoods, walked an average of 25k steps (roughly 15km) each day, and only cried in public three times (all happy occasions, I promise, like seeing the Eiffel Tower again). I have so many photos to share with you! I’ll go easy on the words, because really, you’ve heard me say it all before. En bref, Paris is perfect.

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10 comments

TanjaDecember 8, 2015 at 10:06 AM

I’m glad you had a wonderful and safe time! I’m looking forward to another picture heavy blog post. I’m also curious about the progress and timeline for your novel.

The French people do Europe proud with their endurance and way of getting on with life itself.
Fluctuat nec mergitur. What a poignant and important motto. I framed that one and try to live by it. Also the French anthem – such a strong reminder of our European history and the values we share.
Sorry for rambling…

ErinDecember 10, 2015 at 9:36 AM

Thanks, Tanja! I am happy to deliver :) As far as my novel, I’ve been working on it in fits and spurts since late 2012, so three years! I didn’t touch it for half the year last year, or the first half of the year this year, but I’m making decent progress and am so, so close to finishing a first draft! It’s a different story than the one I started writing three years ago, which is pretty interesting for me (and likely only for me, ha).

No apologies for rambling, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said. The French refuse to buckle. xo

Beautiful pictures, as always. That never changes either ;)
I’m glad you had such a nice stay. I am so looking forward to my own visit in February. And also, I just bought a new (way too expensive…) camera today. Can’t wait for it to arrive with the post! Will photograph like a crazy person when I’m there, hehe.

Some day we such synchronize our Paris vacations!? Or you could stop by Copenhagen/Malmö on your way back.